Punjab Kings’ Playoff Hopes Hang by a Thread

Unbeaten in the first seven matches and defeated consecutively in the next 6 matches. What an astonishing rise and fall for Punjab Kings! At the end of seven matches, it felt like a playoff spot was only a matter of time. However, that wait has now become a warning sign of departure. Right after the defeat against Rajasthan Royals, Shreyas Iyer’s team has to struggle hard for a victory in a single match. With 13 points in 13 matches, Punjab Kings is currently fourth in the table. Only one match is left in hand. Without a victory against Lucknow, all possibilities for the playoffs will end. Even if they win, the playoff is not guaranteed. If they win the match, Punjab’s points will be 15. In such a situation, Punjab Kings will have to pray for the defeat of Rajasthan and Chennai. Chennai and Rajasthan have two matches each in hand. If both teams win both matches, the points for both teams will be 16. That means entering the playoffs with 15 points is impossible. The main reason behind this miserable condition of Punjab is the failure of top-order batting and very terrible fielding. In every match, Punjab Kings has dropped an average of three catches. It is difficult to win matches with such weak fielding. The failure of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Shreyas Iyer in the top order is also another reason for concern. The final match will be like a life-and-death battle. The history of such continuous failure in the IPL is rare. However, Lucknow, for whom victory or defeat holds no significance, is dangerous. Even if deprived of the playoffs, finishing the campaign with a victory is Lucknow’s target.